Government officials are letting Google proceed with its $700 million purchase of airline fare tracker ITA Software. The deal will establish the Internet search giant as a key player in the online travel market.
The purchase gives Google Inc. control over the technology that powers the reservation systems of most major U.S. airlines and many popular online fare-comparison services, including Kayak, TripAdvisor and Hotwire.
But the antitrust clearance by the Justice Department comes with conditions.
Google will be required to license ITA's software to other companies, and it will be prohibited from accessing any proprietary data or technology of ITA customers that resides on or runs through ITA servers.
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